Brahmanbaria, October 22, 2026 (V7N) – The Bangladeshi government is working to resume operations at all fertilizer factories across the country in a bid to save around Tk 22,000 crore in urea import costs, Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) Chairman Md Babul Miah said Thursday.
Miah made the remarks after inspecting Ashuganj Fertilizer and Chemical Company Ltd (AFCCL) in the afternoon, according to the state-run news agency BSS.
"We want to make BCIC's factories operational. We have to import 26-27 lakh metric tonnes of urea fertilizer. If our factories remain operational with adequate gas supply, we have the capacity to meet the country's demand and even export urea," Miah said.
The Ashuganj fertilizer factory has been shut since March 1, 2025, due to a gas crisis. Miah expressed hope that production could resume this year if gas supply is ensured.
"Our main problem is the gas crisis. However, we want to make our factories operational by ensuring gas supply. We are working towards that goal. If we can bring the factories back into operation, we will no longer need to import fertilizer," he said.
AFCCL Managing Director Sheikh Md Ali Asraf, Deputy General Manager (Administration) Tajul Islam Bhuiyan and other factory officials were present during the inspection.
Officials did not specify a timeline for restoring gas supply or resuming production. The government's ability to revive the plants is expected to hinge on securing adequate gas allocations, a persistent challenge for Bangladesh's industrial sector.
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